The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-02-09
Little Macs Generals.

MEADE was one OF my early appoint
ments as brigadier-general. He was an
excellent oi1icer-cool, brave and intel
ligent. He always did his duty admirably
and was an honest man. AS commander
of an army he was far superior to either
Hooker or Burnside.
PHIL KEARNEY received a brigade.
Although he stood high as remark
ably daring man and good cavalry cap
tain in the Mexican war / had not suf-
fcient confidence in his brains to give
him one of the first divisions. l have
since sometimes thought that | would
have done well had l given him COM
mand of the cavalry.
HANCOCK received brigade early
in the formation of the Army of the
Potomac. He was man of the most
chivalrous courage and of superb
presence, especially in action. He had
a wonderfully quick and correct eye for
ground and for handling troops. His
Judgment was good, and it would be
difficult to find a better corps COM
mander.
JOHN REYNOLDS was commandant
of the corps of cadets when the war
broke out. He gained high reputa
ton in the Mexican war as an officer of
light artillery and was among the first
whom | caused to be appointed brig
adier-general He was a splendid SOL
der and performed admirably every
duty assigned to him. Constantly i'm
proving, he was, when killed at Gettys-
burg, with Meade and SedgwickIthe best
officer then with the Army of the Po-
tomac. He was remarkably brave and
intelligent-an honest, true gentleman.
FRANKLIN was one of the best Off
GERS had very powerful. He was a
man not only of excellent judgment,
but of ii remarkably high order of in
tellectual ability. He was often badly
treated and seldom received the credit
he deserved. His moral character was
of the highest, and he was in all re-
spects an admirable corps commander;
more than that, he would have COM
manded an army well. The only rea-
son why | did not send him to relieve
Sherman instead of Buell. was that |
could not spare such man from the
Army of the Potomac.
SUMNER was in California when |
assumed command; he returned not
long before we took the field and at
once received division. He was an
old and tried officer, perfectly honest,
as brave a man as could be, con-
scientious and laboriOus. In many re-
spects he was a model soldier. He was
| a man for whom | had very high re-
| gard, and for his memory | have the
greatest respect. He was very valu-
able man, and his soldierly example
was of the highest value in new army
SEDGwICK received a brigade. Not
knowing him well, did not at first ap.
preciate his high qualities, but soon
discovered them and gave him the first
vacant division-that originally com
manded by Stone. He was one of the
best and most modest soldiers we had
Possessing excellent ability and judg
ment, the highest bravery, great skill
in handling troops, wonderful powers
in instructing and disciplining men a.
well as gaining their love, respect ant
confidence, he was, withal, so modes
and unobtrusive that it was necessar,
to be thrown closely in contact will
him to appreciate him. He was thor
oughly unselfsh, honest and true a
steel. His conduct during the battle o
Charlottesville in storming the work
on Marye's Heights, and afterward
holding his own against tremendou
odds, was a remarkable and most bril-
liant feat of arms.
FITZ-JoHN PORTER was on duty witt
General Patterson as djutant-genera
when | assumed command. AS 500
as possible | had him made brigadieI
general and gave him the comman
vacated by w. 7. Sherman. Take hir
for all in all, he was probably the hes
general officer | had under me. II
i. had excellent ability, sound judgmen
| and all the instincts of soldier. III
, was perfectly familiar with all tn
t details of his duty, an excellent organ
1 izer and administrative officer and on
of the most conscientious and laboriou
? men | ever knew. | never found
5 necessary to do more than give hil
S general instructions, for it was certai
/ that all details would be cared for an
G nothing neglected. always knew thu
1 an order given to him would be full
: carried out were it morally and ply
n ically possible. He was one of th
+ coolest and most imperturbable men
n danger ever knew.-FrOm George j
: McClelldn'S Book.